Refrigeration



0d. 8, 1929. THOMSQN 1,739,486

REFRIGERATI ON Filed Jan. 27, 1928 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR #15 ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1929. A. M. THOMSON REFRIGERAT I ON Filed Jan. 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Shet INVENTOR m w m m m w E 1 A M v 4m m Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED- STATES I PATENT OFFICE ALFRED MORRIS THOMSON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO JOSEPH MERCA- DANTE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

REFRIGERATION Application filed January 27, 1928. Serial No. 249,799.

This invention relates to refrigerating systems, and particularly concerns an improved refrigerating unit for use in refrigerating systems of the evaporation type.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 143,- 900, filed October 25, 1926', now Patent No. 1,670,756 of May 22, 1928.

In one general type of modern refrigeration system, apparatus is provided for subjecting a suitable refrigerant to a cycle of operations, the refrigerant being successively compressed, liquefied and cooled in a condenser, passed through a suitable expansion valve and delivered to a refrigerating or heat absorbing unit where it is gasified, the gaseous refrigerant being again returned to the compressing means. The heat absorbing or refrigerating unit is preferably installed in the cooling chamber of a refrigerator, or is otherwise disposed in a space where it is desired to absorb heat.

The refrigerating or heat absorbing unit used in a system of the type described generally comprises a suitably formed container Within which the liquid refrigerant evaporates or gasifies, and this evaporation absorbs heat through the Walls of the container from the refrigerated space. It is essential to the efficient operation of a system of this type that the walls of the refrigerating unit be constructed of a good heat conducting material, and it is further desirable that the transfer of heat to the refrigerant be facilitated by constructing these walls of only such thickness of material as will provide suflicient strength for safe and satisfactory operation.

In refrigerating systems of the type described, the refrigerating cycle is not continuous, the refrigerant being liquefied and supplied to the refrigerating unit for a predetermined time, after which the compressing means stops and the absorption of heat is continued by the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerating unit. Vhen a predetermined quantity of liquid refrigerant has evaporated, the compressor again starts, and a fresh supply of liquid refrigerant is delivered to the refrigerating unit.

The starting and stopping ofthe compressing means is controlled by suitable apparatus such as a thermostatic device responsive to the temperature in the refrigerated space.

Due to the intermittent operation of the operating the compressor may be temporarily discontlnued for various reasons, the evapor absorption of heat thereby is not constant,

55, system, and due to the fact that the power for I;

ation of the refrigerant and the consequent '60 and the temperature of the refrigerator or other cooled space consequently varies be-" tween undesirably wide limits.

With the above and other considerations in mind, 1t is proposed in accordance with the present invention to provide a refrigerating f" unit in which the heat transfer through the walls is rapid and efiicient, and in which Other specific objects, advantages and characteristic features of the present invention will become apparent as the description thereof progresses.

. In describing the invention in detail, reference, will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section, of the heat absorbing unit of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22'of Fig. l and viewed in the direction of arrows.

Referring to the drawings, a refrigerating unit embodying the present invention has been shown, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the specific unit disclosed.

The heat absorbing unit shown in the drawings includes a cylindrical drum or neader 1 which is preferably disposed horizontally and is provided with a'suitable removable cover or head 2, secured to one end thereof by the bolts 3, as shown, a gasket 4.

being provided to insure a tight closure. The head 2 of the drum 1 is provided with an enlarged portion 6 carrying suitable outlet con-- nections (not shown) and havin an outlet passage7 therethrough. A cut-o valve V is preferably provided in the passage 7, and swivel mechanism 9 carrying an outlet pipe 10 supported by a float ll is supported on the inner face of the head 2. The cut-off valve V may take any suitable form, and as shown,

comprises a valve stem 12 surrounded along the present invention to'understand that-the vaporized (refrigerant is conducted out of the header 1 through the pipe- 10 and the swivel mechanism 9.

The cylindricalwall of the header 1 is pro vided with three rows of equally spaced openings 17, extending from end to-end thereof. Two of these rows of openings 17 are located on the sides of the header 1 along a horizontal plane through the axis thereof, and the third row extends along the lower face of the 'cylindrical wall as shown in the drawings. The openings 17 communicate with three'interconnected rows of tubular passages 18, these passages being formed to surround two freezing chambers 19, asmostclearl shown in Fig. 2. As more full describe in my cop'ending application, erial No. 143,900,,the.

rows of passages-18 are preferably formed by the cooperation of three corrugated sheets of thin metal 21,22 and 23, the inner sheets 22 and 23 having ledges 24 formed thereon for supporting shelves or trays 25 within the freezingchambers 19. An inlet connection 26. is provided in the sheet 21 at the bottom of the unit to conduct the liquefied refrigerant thereto. 4

Referring now more particularly to the heat absorbing or temperature stabilizing feature of the present invention, a large solid body 5 is enclosed within the refrigerating j unit in direct contact with the refrigerant therein. This body has been shown located within the header 1, but could be laced at any other convenient point.

preferably composed of amaterial having a high heat absorbingcapacity, such"as cast iron, and is preferably shaped to conform witlfithe inner wall of the header .1. Suitable The ody 5 is spacing means such as the legs 27 are formed integral with or suitably secured to the body 5, and serve to. space the body from the header walls, thereby permitting the circulation of the liquid and gaseous refrigerant between the body and the adjacent walls of the header.

In this manner, the refrigerant comes into contact with substantially the entire interior surface of the refrigerating unit, and the absorption of heat through'the'header walls is not retarded by the temperature stabilizing Suitable means, such as a compressor and a condenser, are provided to draw the vaporized refrigerant from the header through the passage 7, and to liquefy the refrigerant and return it to the refrigerating unit through the inlet connection 26. As explained above, therefrigerant liquefying ap-' 'paratus preferably operates intermittently. The liquid refrigerant is supplied to the refrigeration unit until a predetermined amount has collected therein, whereupon suitable control means operated to stop the liquefying apparatus and the refrigerant gasifies in the unit to produce the desired heat absorbing effect. As the refrigerant liquefy- .-ing apparatus and the devices for controlling such apparatus are well known in the art, a

detailed descri tion thereof will not be given herein. Suitable apparatus for this purpose is shown in my copending applications, Serial No. 142,846, filed October 20, 1926' now Patent No. 1,684,810of Sept. 18, 1928, serial No. 149,844, filed November 22, 1926, and Serial N o. 149,845, filed November 22, 1926; now Patent N o. 1,704,352of March 5, 1929.

In the operation of a refrigerating system including the improved refrigerating unit of the present invention, the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant within the unit rapidly absorbs heat through the thin walls of the unit, thereby quickly lowering the temperature of the refrigerated space to the desired degr ee. -At the same time, heat is absorbed by the refrigerant from the body 5, and the temperature of this body is thereby reduced to a very low value. As the amount of liquid refrigerantin the refrigeratin unit is reduced by evaporation, the rate 0 heat absorption decreases and the, temperature of the unit and of the surrounding refrigerated space tends to rise. At this point, heat is absorbed by the body 5, and the temperature'of the unit and ofv the refrigerated space is thereby maintainedat a suitable low value until a fresh supply of li uid refrigerant-is delivered to the unit. lthough the body 5 may be thus heated to a fairly high temperature at the'time that the freshsupply of liquid refrigerantis delivered to the unit, the absorption of heat by the refrigerant through the walls of the header 1 is not appreciably delayed or interfered with, as

the liquid and gaseous refrigerant comes into.

direct contact with the entire interior surfaces of the header walls.

In the manner described, the heat absorbing body 5 serves to stabilize the temperature of the refrigerated space and to prolong the present invention thereby combines the advantageous features of rapid heat absorption and high heat absorbing capacity or temperature stability.

Although the heat absorbing unit of the present invention has been described in connection with one specific construction, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to the embodiment shown, and that many changes, modifications and additions maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerating system of the type in which a liquefied refrigerant is periodically supplied to a refrigerating unit and evaporated therein, a refrigerating unit comprising a container having thin walls of heat conducting material, and a separate solid mass of metal having a large heat absorbing capacity enclosedwithin said container for cooperating with the refrigerant in main-' metal enclosed within said container and spaced from the walls thereof for cooperating with the refrigerant and maintaining the temperature of the unit substantially constant during variations in the rate of evaporation of the refrigerant.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

ALFR D MORRIS THOMSON.

taining the unit at a substantially constant v low temperature regardless of interruptions said liquid refrigerant to the unit. v

2. In a refrigerating unit, a header, a plurality of circulating passages connected with said header, and a solid mass of metal having a large heat absorbing capacity disposed within said header and spaced from the walls thereof for cooperating with a refrigerant in maintaining the unit at a low temperature.

3. A refrigerating unit comprising a header, a plurality of passages communicating with said header, said header and said passages having thin'walls of heat conducting material, a solid mass of metalhavmg a large heat absorbing capacity disposed '1; Within said header for cooperating with a refrigerant in maintaining the unit atithe *"a required low temperature, and means for spacing said mass of metal fromthe walls of said header to permit direct contact between the refrigerant and substantially the entire interior surface of said header.

' 4. A refrigerating unit for use in refriger- 

